Adjustable track means for a sizer apparatus



Sept. 13, 1966 K. F. RUSSELL ADJUSTABLE TRACK MEANS FOR A SIZER APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 20, 1963 INVENTOR. gN/VE TH F. RUSSELL .4 r70 ewe-Y6 Sept. 13, 1966 K. F. RUSSELL 3,272,334

ADJUSTABLE TRACK MEANS FOR A SIZER APPARATUS Filed June 20, 1963 5 Sheets-5heet 2 I N VENTOR.

KENNETH P: RUSSELL 4r raezvEys.

Sept. 13,1966 K. F. RUSSELL 3,272,334

ADJUSTABLE TRACK MEANS FOR A SIZER APPARATUS Filed June 20, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IllllllllllllLlLll I NVENTOR.

KENNETH F: RUSSELL MQZM flrroavsys.

Sept. 13, 1966 U L 3,272,334

ADJUSTABLE TRACK MEANS FOR A SIZER APPARATUS Filed June 20, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet. 4

INVENTOR E f/WW5 TH 1 RUSSEL 1.

flrroexvEys.

Sept. 13, 1966 K. F. RUSSELL 3,272,334

ADJUSTABLE TRACK MEANS FOR A SIZER APPARATUS Filed June 20, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 256 42 227 22g 22g 240 k I- INVENTOR.

BEAM/57w F. 19053544 Abram/sys- United States Patent 3,272,334 ADJUSTABLE TRACK MEANS FOR A SIZER APPARATUS Kenneth F. Russell, Claremont, Califi, assignor to Brogdex Company, Pomona, Califi, a corporation of California hiled June 20, 1963, Ser. No. 289,330 Claims priority, application Israel, Oct. 4, 1962, 18,020 15 Claims. (Cl. 209-106) The present application is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 113,304, filed May 29, 1961, now Patent No. 3,179,249.

This invention generally relates to a sizing apparatus for articles of variable size, form and volume, such as potatoes, grapefruit, oranges, lemons and other kinds of produce or other types of articles. The invention particularly relates to a composite sizing apparatus adapted to be readily adjusted, throughout its sizing zone, for sizing more than one type of article without extensive changes and for rapidly changing the range or classification of size. A composite sizing apparatus of this invention may include one or more sizing sections in a sizing apparatus, each sizing section being readily adjustable to size a particular type of article having different characteristics than articles sized in an adjacent sizing section.

The present application particularly relates to exemplary adjustable track means and other modifications required by the versatile character of the sizing apparatus of the present invention. In application Serial No. 113,304, there is disclosed a sizing apparatus adapted to size articles by volume as well as by dimensional size. Said disclosed apparatus utilized a novel construction for mounting and carrying sizing conveyor rolls employing a roller chain means which is maintained under compressive forces during its movement through a sizing zone. In such disclosed apparatus, track means was provided for the roller chain means and such track means included a top track member, spaced from a bottom track member in converging relation thereto in order to provide a progressively uniform increase in the spacing of sizing rollers for the sizing operation. When the sizing apparatus was preset for sizing one type of article, a change in the type of article to be sized required that the distribution dividers associated with the cross conveyor beneath the sizer be shifted to the desired classifications and that a distribution conveyor be further adjusted to a new arrangement of distribution paths. In some instances, such change in the ultimate distribution paths of sized articles became quite complex, required extensive shifting and rearrangement of the distribution paths which led to the packaging and boxing areas, and was time consuming not only with respect to the changes made in the distribution of sized fruit, but also in the readjustment of the sizing apparatus to properly handle the different type of article to be sized. In some citrus packing houses frequent sizing of difierent types of articles such as lemons, oranges and grapefruit, is desired and continual changing from a set-up to size lemons to a set-up to size grapefruit is costly and expensive. r

The present invention embodies a sizing apparatus having a construction and mode of operation which :permits a single sizing apparatus to handle or size one or more different types of articles by rapidly easily changing the sizer set-up and with only minor changes in the dividers and distribution pathways for the sized fruit to follow. The present invention contemplates a single composite sizer apparatus which may be used for sizing one type of article or which may be rapidly modified for sizing lemons, oranges, and grapefruit or the like. The present invention contemplates that the sizing apparatus can be quickly and readily, easily adjustable to provide "ice selected sizing classifications for each of a diiterent number of articles to be sized.

While the present invention is described in connection with a sizing apparatus embodying a compression type of conveyor means to control progressive spacing apart of the sizing conveyor rolls, the invention may be employed with other types of sizing conveyors in which sizing rollsare gradually further spaced apart. Generally speaking, the sizing apparatus disclosed in copending application Serial No. 113,304 includes a track means for guiding the sizing rolls, the track means comprising a fixed, non-changeable bottom track member and a prepositioned upper track member adjustably spaced with respect to the bottom track member. The present invention includes modifications of the construction of one of the track members, in this instance, the top track member, in such a manner that separate, local or discrete segments of the top track means may be selectively variably spaced from the bottom track means by quickly and readily operable adjustment means. Since adjustment of the several track segments in selected directions with respect to the bottom track member involves a change in length of the linear distance of the top track member, compensating means for such changes in length are provided in order to maintain the sizing rollers in desired spaced relation and the roller chain means connecting the sizing rollers in or under selected forces. The present invention provides means for adjusting the aggregate total length of the top track means and also exemplary means for constantly maintaining a compressive force on the roller chain means.

Thus, the primary object of this invention is to disclose and provide a novel, improved composite sizing apparatus for articles of different type and characteristics with respect to size and volume.

An object of the invention is to disclose a novel and justable track means for article sizing apparatus and to also disclose a track member comprising a plurality of readily movable track segments or elements arranged to facilitate a sizing operation.

Another object of the present invention is to disclose and provide a composite sizing apparatus wherein a plurality of sizing sections may be readily adjustably preset to sizing classifications for different sizes of articles.

Another object of this invention is to disclose and provide a composite sizing apparatusembodying a novel adjustable track means for guiding sizing rolls along a sizing zone of a sizing apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to disclose and provide a novel, composite sizing apparatus wherein means are provided on the sizing apparatus for readily adjusting the spacing between one track member and a series of track segments of the opposed track member to provide a desired sizing classification at a selected zone or section of the sizing apparatus.

A still further object of the invention is to disclose and provide a novel sizing apparatus including a conveyor of the type described in said copending application, Serial No. 113,304 wherein novel means are provided for maintaining the upper lay of such conveyor under compression. A still further object of the present invention is to design and provide a novel composite sizing apparatus wherein means are provided for accumulating a selected amount of slack in the bottom lay of such a sizing conveyor whereby adjustment in lengths in the top lay may be readily compensated.

Various other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following description of the drawings in which exemplary embodiments of this invention are shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a sizing apparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken in the plane indicated by line II I1 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic fragmentary side elevational vie illustrating the adjustable track means.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken in the plane indicated by line IVIV of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, excluding the hand wheel, and taken in the plane indicated by line V-V of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the timing chain take-up means shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken in the plane indicated by line V-IIVII of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a different embodiment of the present invention showing only the top portion of a sizing apparatus.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the adjustment means for the top track segments.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken in the plane indicated by line X--X of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken in the plane indicated by line XIXI of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a transverse sectional area taken in the plane indicated by line XI I-XI=I of FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary side view taken from the left of FIG. 11.

In FIGURES 1-7, inclusive, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. In general, a sizing apparatus indicated at may include a suitable frame means or structure 21 including an upwardly inclined feed section .22 and a sizing zone 23. A conveyor roll means 24 of endless type is guided along a selected pathway on said frame means as later described, and may be driven by a motor means 25 through a drive chain 26 and drive sprocket means 27 which is connected with end sprocket means M through the conveyor roll means and a timing chain means 28.

The frame means 21 may include any suitable arrangement of frame members such as that shown and described in said copending application. Only necessary parts of the frame means will be referred to for brevity and clarity of the following description.

The conveyor rol-l means 24 may also be of similar construction and operation as the conveyor roll means described in said copending application. Conveyor roll means 24 includes a plurality of parallel sizing rolls 30, each roll including a plurality of spaced grommets 31 of selected configuration in order to provide desired sizing of articles by providing an article holding pocket defined by four adjacent grommets on a pair of adjacent rolls 30. The grommets may be configured as described in said copending application in order to provide sizing by volume and to provide a single grommet configuration capable of sizing different types of articles such as lemons, oranges and grapefruit. The rolls are interconnected at their ends by a roller chain means 32 comprising a well-known form of roller chain including chain rollers 33 interconnected by chain links 34. Alternate chain rollers 33 are connected coaxially with sizing rolls 30. The roller chain means 32 on each side of conveyor roll means 24 is engageable with drive sprockets 27 and end sprockets 27' for advancing the top lay of conveyor roll means 24 towards the end of sizing apparatus 20.

On each side of the sizer apparatus 20, the frame structure supports a track means generally indicated at 36. Track means 36 includes an infeed track section generally indicated at 37 at which chain rollers 33 and links 34 advancing around drive sprockets 27 are guided by diverging top and bottom tracks 37T and 37B into collapsed relation so that rolls 30 will be advanced along inclined infeed section 22 in relatively close spaced relation for receiving quantities of articles fed thereto by suitable feed means 4 (not shown). The infeed track section 37, with the top and bottom track members in parallel relation extends to the top of the feed section where sizing rolls 30 are advanoed into sizing zone 23.

The track means at sizing zone 23 is generally identified by 38 and is exemplary of the present invention. Before describing track means 38 in detail, it wil be noted that at the end of sizing zone 23, conveyor rolls 30 are guided around end sprockets 27' and are directed into the bottom lay of the conveyor roll means. The bottom lay of the conveyor roll means is guided by a bottom track means 39 to provide a slack or accumulation zone for the conveyor rolls. In this embodiment, bottom track means 39 includes top and bottom spaced track members 39T and 39B which permit close grouping or spacing of the conveyor rolls 30 by collapse of chain means 32 so that adequate accumulation of conveyor rolls 30 is provided in a slack or accumulation zone. As bottom track means 39 approaches the feed end of the sizing apparatus, the top and bottom track members 39T and 39B converge so that the bottom track section at 40 below the inclined feed section 22 advances the conveyor rolls 30 in maximum extended and spaced relation for suitable engagement of the interconnecting roller chain means with the drive sprockets 27. I

Sizing zone track means 38 comprises a bottom track member 44 which may include an angle iron member 45 secured as by welding in fixed non-movable relation to a channel section side frame member 46. The top face of bottom track member 44 includes a longitudinally extending strip 47 provided with transversely spaced roller guides 48 defining therebetween a bottom track face 49 for a chain roller 33 connected to a sizing conveyor roll 30.

Sizing zone track means 38 also includes a top track means 50 comprising a plurality or series of longitudinally arranged pivotally interconnected track segments or elements 51. Each track segment 51 may include track side plates 52 having inturned bottom lips 53 slidably supporting a continuous track strip member or element 54 which may extend longitudinally for the length of track means 38. Track strip member 54 may be made of a flexible steel and provides a top downwardly directed track face 55 providing a continuous Wear surface. Each track segment may be made of suitable cast metal material. Track segments 51 may be of selected length depending upon the length of the sizing zone, the rapidity of change in spacing desired, and may be of equal or different lengths.

Means for pivotal-1y interconnecting and adjusting the end of each track segment with respect to the adjacent end of an adjacent track segment may comprise an upstanding plate 57 welded to one track segment 51 and extending towards and slightly overlying the adjacent end of the adjacent track element 51. Plate 57 may be overlapped by a similar upstanding plate 58 carried by the adjacent track segment 51. Between and above ends of such adjacent track segments 51, plates 57 and 58 overlap, plate 58 being provided with an arcuateslot 60 and plate 57 being provided with a port 61, the slot and port being adapted to receive a transverse rod 62 which extends across the conveyor roll means to the opposite side of the sizing apparatus for connection with a pair of adjacent track segments 51 in similar manner.

Rod 62 may be ensleevcd within a spacing outer sleeve 63. Rod 62 at each end extends outwardly from upstanding plate 57 and through a spacer washer 64, through a large diameter gear 65, through a circular cam member 66, through a spacer sleeve 67, and at its outermost extremity, carries a securement nut 68 and lock nut 69.'

Cam member 66 may be movably retained within a recess 70 provided in the inner face of an upstanding polygonally shaped support member 71 secured to the top of side frame member 46. Cam member 66 carries a pin 73 secured as by welding to gear and may extend through the coaxial center of cam member 66 for supporting adacent its outer end a disk 74 having peripheral margins seated at 75 against ribs 76 on said member 71. Disk 74 may carry on its outer face indicia indicating the angular displacement of cam member 66 as later described. It will be noted that rod 62 which provides the pivot and slot connection between track segments 51 is connected with cam member 66 in eccentric relation to the axis of gear 65 Means to turn gear 65 and thereby cam member 66 to provide relative angular adjustment of adjacent ends of track segments 51 may include a spur gear 80 having meshed engagement at 81 with gear 65, said spur gear 80 being carried on a transversely extending shaft 83 supported from support member 71. Shaft 83 passes through bore 84 in member 71 for connection at its outer end to a gear 85 supported in a bracket 86 on which may be mounted a hand wheel 87 having a wheel shaft 88 with a worm gear 89 thereon in meshed engagement with gear 85. As hand wheel 87 is turned in a selected direction, worm gear 89 will drive the described gear train to ultimately turn gear 65 to move transverse rod 62 connected with upstanding plate 72 in slot 60 in upstanding plate 58. Such relative movement of rod 62 in slot 60 produces a variation in angular relationship of adjacent segments 51 and thus a selected relationship between a plurality of adjacent pivotally interconnected track segments may be readily accomplished.

Indicia disk 74, which indicates angular relationship of track segments 51 may be readily observed at one side of the sizing apparatus and adjustment of spacing between top track segments 51 and the bottom track may be rapidly precisely made. Since rod 62 extends to the opposite side of the sizer apparatus and the opposite side of the sizer apparatus includes a corresponding spur gear 80 and gear 65, it will be apparent that the opposite corresponding track segments 51 on the opposite side of the sizer apparatus will be correspondingly angularly adjusted. The number of such adjustment means provided along the length of the sizing zone may be varied to obtain the selected number of sizing classification.

While such adjustment means are employed in the sizing zone, it will be readily understood that at the beginning of the sizing zone, where the inclined feed section ends a suitable adjustable pivotal connection (pin and slot) at 90 may be provided by an upstanding plate 91 carried by a frame member and an upstanding plate 92 carried by the first track segment 51.

Similarly, at the end of the sizing zone an upstanding plate 95 carried by the last track segment 51 may be provided with a pivotal and slot connection at 96 with an upstanding plate 97 carried by the frame means above the end sprockets 27. The pin and slot connection at 96 may include an elongated straight slot 98 so that as various angular adjustments between track segments 51 throughout the sizing zone are made and produce an overall linear change in length, such change in length may be readily compensated.

In sizing zone 23 and also in the storage zone therebelow, roller chain means 32 is under compression so that chain rollers 33 positively engage the opposed track surfaces. In said co-pending application means were provided at the end sprockets for imparting to the chain means a force opposite to the direction of travel of the top lay of the chain means. In this embodiment of the invention the top lay of chain means 32 is held under compressed collapsed relation through the outboardly arranged endless timing chain means 28. Timing chain means 28 also serves to correlate speed of rotation of drive sprockets 27 and end sprockets 27' so that the conveyor roll means 24 may be driven at a selected uniform speed through sizing zone 23.

Timing chain means 28 comprises a top lay portion 111 extending along sizing zone 23, a top inclined lay portion 112 extending along inclined feed section 22, and a downwardly extending loop portion 114 between said lay portion 111 and 112. Loop portion 114 is defined and supported by a pair of spaced idle sprockets 115 carried by inclined side frame member 116. At the end of sizing zone 23 timing chain means 28 passes over idle guide sprocket 117 for engagement with a sprocket 118 carried on the shaft supporting end conveyor sprockets 27'. End portion 119 of timing chain 28 engages sprocket 118, an idle guide sprocket 120, and is then provided a bottom lay portion 121 which extends toward the feed section 22 of the sizing apparatus. The bottom lay portion 121 terminates in an upwardly extending loop portion 122 defined by a pair of spaced idle sprockets 123 and joins an upwardly inclined bottom lay portion 124 which engages a drive sprocket 125 carried on the drive shaft which supports drive sprockets 27. Thus the timing chain 28 not only interconnects conveyor roll means sprockets 27 and 27' for correlation of the rotative speeds thereof but also provides oppositely extending overlapping loop portions 114 and 122 for adjustment of compressive forces to be applied to the roller chain means 32.

Means for applying a force to timing chain 28 in order to provide a drag force or a compressive force imparted to the top lay of the conveyor roll means in order to maintain said conveyor roll means under selected compression is provided through timing chain means 28 and may comprise a fluid actuated cylinder means supported from frame means 21 and provided with a piston rod 131 carrying at its top end an upwardly opening yoke member 132 supporting an axle 133 upon which may be mounted a pair of sprockets 134 and 135. Around sprocket 134 is engaged the bottom portion of loop 114 while sprocket 135 is engaged by the top portion of loop 122.

Thus upon selected actuation of fluid cylinder 130 to cause piston rod 131 to move upwardly or downwardly the tension applied to timing chain 28 in the lay portions 111, 112 may be varied. For example, if piston rod 131 is urged downwardly, loop 114 tends to lengthen and the top lay portion 111 extending along sizing zone 23 is placed under a tension force and a drag force is imparted to the shaft carrying the end sprockets 27'. Thus a compressive force is imparted to roller chain means 32 for causing rollers 33 to be urged apart and maintain engagement with the oppositely facing opposed track faces on the track means in the sizing zone. Other means to impart a drag force to the top lay may include suitable friction or electric brake means, an oil pump chain driven from the rear sprocket axle, the oil pump having a suitable fluid reservoir and pressure regulator, and other suitable devices for this purpose.

It will also be apparent that between loop portion 114 and drive sprockets 27 that tension is imparted to timing chain portion 112 so that roller chain means 32 is urged from extended into the collapsed relation illustrated at inclined feed section 22. The fluid cylinder 130 may be associated with a suitable fluid source under pressure in well known manner and such source is not shown.

As mentioned above, a storage zone for the roller chain means 32 and conveyor rolls 30 is provided beneath the sizing zone 23 so that ample length of conveyor roll means 24 will be available to properly feed drive sprockets 27 and to not impart to the top lay of conveyor roll means 24 a force which will tend to prematurely space apart conveyor rolls 30. In the present embodiment a slack or storage zone has been provided by maximumly spaced top and bottom tracks 39T and 39B. Since roller chain means 32 and conveyor rolls 30 are fully extended in the narrow track section underneath the inclined feed section 22 it will be apparent that such extension of the conveyor roll means 24 produces a back-up force directed toward the storage zone which will cause collapse or compression of the roller chain means 32 in the bottom track section beneath the sizing zone.

It will thus be readily understood that the timing chain means 28 provided on the outboard face of the side frame of the sizer apparatus may not only be conveniently observed but may also be readily adjusted by loop 114 and cylinder 130 to impart a selected oppositely directed force to roller chain means 32 in the sizing zone.

In operation of the sizing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-7 it will be understood that articles to be sized fed to the inclined section 22 are distributed in the pockets formed by the grommets on the closely spaced conveyor rolls 30 and are advanced into the sizing zone 23. Since adjustment wheels 87 for the several track segments 51 have been preset for a desired sizing classification, conveyor rolls 30 will be spread apart in a preselected man ner to progressively enlarge the article holding pockets and thus permit articles of selected size to drop through said openings onto a cross conveyor which transports sized articles to the distribution paths for packaging and storage. It will thus be readily apparent that the top track segments may be readily adjusted to accommodate sizing of. different types of articles and also that a composite configuration of track segments 51 may be made whereby articles of selected size but of different type may be sized without major change in the adjustment of the sizer track means. Thus, the present sizer contemplates sizing various types of objects, such as grapefruit, oranges, and lemons in the same sizing area or zone and dropping the fruit onto a belt with appropriate dividers that remain in the same approximate location for the various types of fruit. For example, the tracks may be adjusted so that a size 150 grapefruit, 294 orange, or a 113 lemon can drop onto the same section of the pull out belt with minimum adjustment of the dividers.

Another exemplary embodiment of an adjustable track means for readily changing configuration thereof to provide selected sizing classifications is shown in FIG. 8-13, the track means on only one side of a sizing conveyor frame being shown, the track means on the other side being identical.

In this exemplary track means generally indicated at 200, an inclined inlet end 201 smoothly joins a sizing section 202 which terminates at end 203. At inlet end 201 track means 200 may comprise top and bottom track means 204 and 205 having opposed track faces 206 and 207 respectively arranged in uniform spaced relation in the same manner as the inlet end of the prior embodiment.

Roller chain means (not shown) may be fed to the inlet end 201 in the manner shown in FIG. 1. A channel.- section side frame member 208 supports the top and bottom track means 204 and 205.

In sizing section 202, a channel section side frame member 210 may be supported from the frame structure in suitable manner. The bottom track means 205 in sizing section 202 may comprise bottom track member 211 supported on a horizontally extending leg 212 of angle-section member 213 secured to the bottom edge portion of side frame member 210. The top face of track member 211 includes a track groove 214 defined by laterally spaced parallel bars 215 as in the prior embodiment. The bottom track member is normally fixed and non-changeably secured to side frame member 210.

In sizing section 202, top track means 204 include a plurality of longitudinally spaced track segments 218; each track segment includes a longitudinal track element 219 provided with a downwardly facing track groove 220 defined by parallel longitudinally extending ribs 221 formed on longitudinal side elements 222 secured to track element 219. The ribs 221 may be spaced from the bottom face of track element 219 to receive and support a continuous longitudinally extending flexible metal track strip 223. Track strip 223 spans the space between ends of adjacent track segments and provides a continuous smooth surface for rollers of the roller hain means for the length of the top track means.

Means for adjustably interconnecting adjacent ends of .the track segments 218 may comprise an upstanding plate 225 at one end of each track segment and a mating or companion plate 226 provided on the adjacent end of the adjacent track segment. Plates 225 and 226 lie in parallel vertical planes, extend beyond the end of each track segment for partially spanning the space between adjacent track segments, and overlap above the space between Iadjacent track segments. In this example, plate 225 is provided with an arcuate slot 227 and plate 226 is provided with a port 228 through which a rod 229 passes, said rod 229 extending transversely across the conveyor means for operable connection with the corresponding transversely aligned track segment. Rod 229 extends outboardly of plates 225 and 226 for connection with carn adjustment means generally indicated at 230.

Cam adjustment means 230 may comprise a cam frame 231 including top and bottom frame elements 232 and 233 connected by end frame elements 234. The bottom element 233 may be secured to the top flange of side frame member 210 as by suitable nut and bolt assemblies 235. Top element 232 and bottom element 233 include opposed lips 236 and 2337 serving to retain a circular cam member 239 having a diameter approximately that of the spacing between opposed surfaces of top element 232 and bottom element 233. The cam members 239 is provided with a port 240 through which passes the end of rod 229. Suitable lock nut assemblies 241 secure member 239 on rod 229. A spacer 242 is provided between plate 226 and the opposed face of the cam member 239. The axis of rod 229 at the port 240 in cam member 239 is offset from or eccentric to the axis of the circular cam member 239. Along a diameter of cam member 239 may be provided a handle 244 for turning the cam member.

To adjust the angular relation between adjacent track segments, handle 244 may be moved in a selected direction, turning the cam member, and raising or lowering rod 229 to the extent permitted by the length of slot 227 provided in plate 225. When the handle is moved in one direction the adjacent ends of the track segments will be moved downwardly and when moved in the other direction the adjacent track ends Will be moved upwardly, thereby causing end portions of the track segments to be moved closer or farther away from the normally non-changeable bottom track member 211. Depending upon the selected length of the track segments and the amount of angular displacement imparted to two or more track segments, it will be readily apparent that the configuration of the track groove 220 and the flexible continuous strip 223 may be readily modified so as to control and vary the spacing between the opposed track faces. Variation in such spacing, as described in the prior embodiment, will cause the sizing rollers to be spaced accordingly and the size of the pockets between the grommets will be varied accordingly. Adjustment of the top track means into selected classifications for different articles may thus be readily made.

At end 203 of the sizing conveyor, means 250' are provided for accommodating longitudinal variations in length of top track means 204 in the sizing section as changes in configuration of the [track are made. It will be understood .that maximum length of the track means in the sizing section will occur when all of the track segments are in the same plane and in longitudinal alignment. When variations are made in the contour of the top track face, as by modifying the angular relation of different track segments, it will be apparent that the over-all length will be variably shortened. To accommodate such shortening in length, the end rtrack end plate 225 may be secured to a mounting plate 251, having slidable contact at 252 with extension 253 of plate 251. The extension 253 may be provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending parallel slots 254, 255 and 256. Securement bolts and nut assemblies 257 extend through said slots, the mounting plate 251 and the web of the side frame member 203. It will thus be readily apparent that when the nut and bolt assemblies 257 are loosened, the discharge end track segment 219 may be moved longitudinally of the track means and when the configuration of the sizing section track means is determined, the nut and bolt assemblies 257 may be tightened and the discharge end track segment 219 secured in place.

It will be readily understood that the continuous track strip 223 may be secured by suitable means at its opposite ends, the end adjacent to the discharge end having slot means (not shown) in order to permit logitudin-al displacement of the continuous strip.

It will also be understood that the adjustment means for adjacent track segments may include on the outboard face of the circular cam member 239 selected predetermined indicia for indicating the contour of the top track means and thus the sizing classification. In FIG. 13, such indicia 260 are indicated and the position of the circular cam member 239 may be readily determined by a reference mark 261 on one of the top or bottom elements 232, 233. It will be readily understood that the indicia and reference marks 260, 261 on opposite sides of the track of [the conveyor means may be correlated so that the track means on opposite sides of the conveyor may be correspondingly adjusted. Preferably, the cams on opposite sides of the conveyor are preset and fixed to their connecting rod; then adjustment of one cam at one side simultaneously sets the corresponding opposite cam and curved. Such curved bottom track face in combination the conveyor rods are held parallel.

While the track face 214 on bottom track member 211 is shown flat and straight, face 214 may be suitably with the adjustable top track face could provide a minimum drop of fruit for one or more selected sizes or classi-- fications.

The advantages of track means having at least one of the track members segmentally adjustable in a sizing zone will be readily apparent. While the described embodiments of the invention show track segments pivotally interconnected with ends of adjacent track segments in slightly spaced relation, it will be understood that the present invention contemplates a sizing zone track means having pivotally interconnected or articulated track segments which may be moved relative to each other and relative to a non-changeable companion track member. It will also be understood that means for adjustment of the articulated track segments may be modified and varied. Moreover, while the present invention is described in relation (to a sizer apparatus employing a relatively simple form of roller chain means and opposed inwardly facing track faces, the invention has utility on sizing apparatus of different construction and mode of operation such as where the track faces are arranged in different manner.

Various other changes and modifications may be made in the invention described above which come within the spirit of the invention, and all such changes and modifications coming within the scope of the appended claims may be embraced thereby.

I claim:

1. A compact, composite conveyor means for sizing articles of different types with respect to maximum, minimum, average or mean diameters along minor and major axes of such articles, as lemons, oranges and grapefruit, comprising:

a frame means including spaced side frame members;

conveyor roll means extending between said side frame members in a sizing zone and including a plurality of parallel conveyor rolls and roller chain means having alternate rollers interconnected with adjacent conveyor rolls;

track means on each side frame member, including a normally non-changeable track member supporting the aforesaid alternate rollers and an adjustable track member in spaced relation thereto cooperable with the other of said rollers of the chain means for varying space between the conveyor rolls in the sizing zone;

said adjustable track member including a plurality of pivotally interconnected track segments, one end track segment being pivotally connected at one end to the adjacent segment and longitudinally, adjustably secured to the frame means at its other end, track segments in the sizing zone being adjustable to vary angular relationship between adjacent segments and spacing of such segments with respect to the non-changeable track, whereby said adjustable track member is selectively configured to a composite curve preselected for sizing several types of articles. 2. A compact, composite conveyor means for sizing articles of different types with respect to maximum, minimum, average or mean diameters along minor and major axes of such articles, as lemons, oranges and grapefruit, comprising:

a frame means including spaced side frame members; conveyor roll means extending between said side frame members in a sizing zone and including a plurality of parallel conveyor rolls and roller chain means having alternate rollers interconnected with adjacent conveyor rolls; track means on each side frame member, including a normally non-changeable track member supporting the aforesaid alternate rollers and an adjustable track member in spaced relation thereto cooperable with the other of said rollers of the chain means for varying space between the conveyor rolls in the sizing zone; said adjustable track member including a plurality of spaced pivotally interconnected track segments, one end track segment being longitudinally displaceable, track segments in the sizing zone being adjustable to vary angular relationship between adjacent segments and spacing of such segments with respect to the non-changeable track, whereby said adjustable track member is selectively configured to a composite curve preselected for sizing several types of articles;

and a flexible track strip element extending between said spaced track segments and providing a continuous track surface.

3. A compact, composite conveyor means for sizing articles of different types with respect to maximum, minimum, average or mean diameters along minor and major axes of such articles, as lemons, oranges and grapefruit, comprrsmg:

a frame means including spaced side frame members;

conveyor roll means extending between said side frame members in a sizing zone and including a plurality of parallel conveyor rolls and roller chain means having alternate rollers interconnected with adjacent conveyor rolls;

track means on each side frame member, including a normally non-changeable track member supporting the aforesaid alternate rollers and an adjustable track member in spaced relation thereto cooperable with the other of said rollers of the chain means for varying space between the conveyor rolls in the sizing zone;

said adjustable track member including a plurality of spaced pivotally interconnected track segments, one end track segment being longitudinally displaceable, track segments in the sizing zone being adjustable to vary angular relationship between adjacent seg ments and spacing of such segments with respect to the non-changeable track, whereby said adjustable track member is selectively configured to a composite curve preselected for sizing several types of articles;

and means for adjusting the angular relationship of adjcent track segments, said means including a cam member carried by the side frame, and a movable cam element connected with said adjacent track seg ments.

4. A track means for a sizing conveyor employing a plurality of conveyor rolls each interconnected with an 1 1 adjacent roll at the ends thereof by a roller chain means comprising:

a normally non-changeable track member defining a path for each of said plurality of rolls,

an adjustable track member in spaced relation thereto,

said adjustable track member including a plurality of articulated track segments having longitudinal axes lying in a common plane;

means pivotally interconnecting said track segments;

a continuous flexible strip element extending along said track segments;

and means connected with said pivotal interconnecting means for adjusting the angular relation in said plane between adjacent track segments.

5. A track means as stated in claim 4, wherein said adjustment means includes cam means connected with the pivotal interconnecting means of adjacent track segments.

6. A track means as stated in claim 5, wherein said cam means includes a shaft,

said pivotal interconnecting means including means on said adjacent end portions providing a port and a slot for receiving said shaft,

said cam means being operable to vary the position of said shaft and thereby the relationship between adjacent track segments.

7. A track means as stated in claim 4, including at one end thereof an angularly adjustable track segment and a longitudinally displaceable track segment connected with said angularly adjustable track segment, whereby change in overall length of the adjustable track by various selective angular adjustments of the track segments is compensated.

8. An adjustable track means for an article sizer conveyor means, comprising:

a frame member;

a track member on said frame member;

a variable track means including a plurality of interconnected track segments spaced above the track member;

and adjustment means carried by the frame member at adjacent end portions of adjacenst track segments for varying the relation of one track segment with the other track segment, said means including on one end portion an upstanding plate having a slot, an upstanding companion plate on the other end portion and having a port, and a shaft extending through the port end slot and secured in selected position.

9. An adjustable track means as stated in claim 8, in-

eluding a flexible strip member extending along said track segments.

10. In a sizing apparatus, the provision of:

a frame means providing a sizing zone; endless conveyor roll means having rolls movable through said sizing zone in progressively increasing spaced rela tion;

chain means interconnecting said rolls;

first sprocket means on the frame means for driving engagement with said chain means;

a second sprocket means mounted co-axial with said first sprocket means;

timing chain means associated with said second sprocket means for maintaining movement of the conveyor rolls at a uniform speed through the sizing zone;

and means supported from the frame means and connected with a lay portion of the timing chain means for applying a force to said conveyor roll means in a direction opposite to the movement of the top lay of the roll means.

11. The combination as stated in claim 10 including: means providing a storage zone for said conveyor roll means, said storage zone means including track means for closely spacing the conveyor rolls and track means for widely spacing said conveyor rolls.

12. In a sizing apparatus, the provision of:

a frame means providing a sizing zone; endless conveyor roll means having rolls movable through said sizing zone in progressively increasing spaced relation;

sprocket means on the frame means for supporting and driving said conveyor roll means;

timing chain means associated with said sprocket means for maintaining movement of the conveyor rolls at a unifom speed through the sizing zone;

and means supported from the frame means and connected with a lay portion of the timing chain means for applying a force to said conveyor roll means in a direction opposite to the movement of the top lay of the roll means, said force applying means connected with said timing chain means includes fluid actuated means connected with said timing chain means.

13. A compact, composite conveyor means for sizing articles of diiferent types with respect to maximum, minimum, average or mean diameters along minor and major axes of such articles, as lemons, oranges and grapefruit, comprising:

a frame means including spaced side frame members;

conveyor roll means extending between said side frame members in a sizing zone and including a plurality of parallel conveyor rolls and roller chain means interconnecting said conveyor rolls;

track means on each side frame member, including a normally non-changeable track member and an adjustable track member in spaced relation thereto cooperable with said roller chain means for varying space between the conveyor rolls in the sizing zone;

said adjustable track member including a plurality of spaced track segments, one end track segment being longitudinally displaceable, track segments in the sizing zone being adjustable to vary angular relationship between adjacent segments and spacing of such segments with respect to the non-changeable track, wherebysaid adjustable track member is selectively configured to a composite curve preselected for sizing several types of articles;

and means for adjusting the angular relationship of adjacent track segments including cam means at adjacent track segments, said adjacent track segments having upstanding plates extending into overlapping relation, one plate having a curved slot therein and the other plate having a port therein aligned with said slot, and a shaft extending through said port, into said slot, and connected with said cam means whereby operation of said cam means produces relaative movement between said adjacent track segments.

14. A convey-or as stated in claim 13 wherein said cam means includes lock means for holding said adjacent track segments in selected angular relation.

15. In a sizing conveyor track means in which a plurality of conveyor rolls are each interconnected with adjacent rolls at their ends comprising:

a normally non-changeable track member defining a path for each of said plurality of rolls;

an adjustable track member in spaced relation to said non-changeable track member,

said adjustable track member including a plurality of longitudinally arranged track segments having their longitudinal axes lying in a common vertical plane;

means including transverse rod pivotally interconnecting adjacent ends of said track segments;

and means cooperable with said rod at said pivotally 13 14 interconnecting means for adjusting the angular rela- 3,019,898 2/ 1962 Bertinot 209--102 tion in said plane of adjacent track segments. 3 033 05 19 2 Durand 209 1 2 References Cited by the Examiner 3,151,742 10/1964 O,Brien 209-1O3 UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,448,689 3/1923 Hatch 209106 7 418 6/18 8 1 1,489,585 4/1924 Tinklepaugh 20984 9 9 Germany 2,747,725 5/ 1956 Hatch et a1. 198-195 ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner. 

1. A COMPACT, COMPOSITE CONVEYOR MEANS FOR SIZING ARTICLES OF DIFFERENT TYPES WITH RESPECT TO MAXIMUM, MINIMUM, AVERAGE OR MEAN DIAMETERS ALONG MIRROR AND MAJOR AXES OF SUCH ARTICLES, AS LEMONS, ORANGES AND GRAPEFRUIT, COMPRISING: A FRAME MEANS INCLUDING SPACED SIDE FRAME MEMBERS; CONVEYOR ROLL MEANS EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID SIDE FRAME MEMBERS IN A SIZING ZONE AND INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF PARALLEL CONVEYOR ROLLS AND ROLLER CHAIN MEANS HAVING ALTERNATE ROLLERS INTERCONNECTED WITH ADJACENT CONVEYOR ROLLS; TRACK MEANS ON EACH SIDE FRAME MEMBER, INCLUDING A NORMALLY NON-CHANGEABLE TRACK MEMBER SUPPORTING THE AFORESAID ALTERNATE ROLLERS AND AN ADJUSTABLE TRACK MEMBER IN SPACED RELATION THERETO COOPERABLE WITH THE OTHER OF SAID ROLLERS OF THE CHAIN MEANS FOR VARYING SPACE BETWEEN THE CONVEYOR ROLLS IN THE SIZING ZONE; SAID ADJUSTABLE TRACK MEMBER INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF PIVOTALLY INTERCONNECTED TRACK SEGMENTS, ONE END TRACK SEGMENT BEING PIVOTALLY CONNECTED AT ONE END TO THE ADJACENT SEGMENT AND LONGITUDINALLY, ADJUSTABLY SECURED TO THE FRAME MEANS AT ITS OTHER END, TRACK SEGMENTS IN THE SIZING ZONE BEING ADJUSTABLE TO VARY ANGULAR RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ADJACENT SEGMENTS AND SPACING OF SUCH SEGMENTS WITH RESPECT TO THE NON-CHANGEABLE TRACK, WHEREBY SAID ADJUSTABLE TRACK MEMBER IS SELECTIVELY CONFIGURED TO A COMPOSITE CURVE PRESELECTED FOR SIZING SEVERAL TYPES OF ARTICLES. 